The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-24
THE ALL-ABSORBING TOPIC
Conflicting Views as to How the Natu-
ral-Gas Question Should Be Settled.
The indianapolis Company Expected to With
draw It's Demand for an Exclusive Fran
chise at To-Day's Meeting of the Council.


When the couuclmen meet this afternoon as
committee of the whole to consider the Indianap-
oils company's natural-gas ordinance. OF
them can seek to delay action for want Of infor-
nation. There is not one among them who has
not since Friday evening, been piled with ques-
tons to what he intends to do. As a citizen
expressed it. last night, every man Of the 200
or more. who subscribed to the Doxey pledge,
considers himself agerisved and thoroughly
qualified to give opinion "You may be
sure" he continued, "these people are not miss
ing their opportunity" When three or four
persons. the first few days. would try to give
their views at the same time. there was no tell
ing into what ramihcations of ideas and contra
dictions the question would lead them. Gener-
ally in groups of this kind two three might
be pitted against an equal number, but
there was no certainty of the discus
sion ending in tina. shape. 1t
more likely to be three four sided
debate in which the man who could talk the
fastest and had his theories we'll in hand would
get the best of the argument. The discussion
was just likely to last half the afternoon or
night in that form, interspersed now and then
with overheated expressions. The man who
assumed to know all about natural gas from the
original generative factors to the time it would
be consumed at 80 much per thousand feet, had
a temper of incompatible evenness if he came
out OF an argument without desire to destroy
those who opposed him. Upon one thing, how
ever, everybody agreed, and that is Indianapo-
lis ought to have natural gas. From that the
divergence of opinion occurred, leading one int o
a countless maze of conclusions crossing prem
ises and premises getting mixed up in conclu-
sions. until the orator and his hearers were
ready to curse each other in their confusion.
Many things in all this seemingly endless talk
about natural gas. were said that could have
been. without detrimsnt to common sense, left
unsaid. But there is one evidence of change of
views among many who have held out that the
old ordinance should not be amended n any
particular. It is in str ngthening of the reel
ing in favor of amending the schedule of prices.
An alderman who has supper ted the price
schedule from the outset of tho agitation months
ago, said Saturday that a number Of citizens
had been to him, and every of
them favored a change. "While am inclined
she remarked ito vote that way l cannot vote
for ordinance that gives exclusive privi-
lsge to any companv." It was around this feat
ure of the new ordinance that nearly all the OPP
mon who favor an increase of the prices were
outspoken against any exclusive privileges.
Had that not been introduced in the new
ordinance" said ono of them 1.-The schedule could
have been changed Friday night"
What will be the action on the ordinance
when it comes up tomorrow night" was asked.
I'm the committee of the whole the exclusive
feature, am sure, will be thrown out. Soma
of the minor amendments asked for will be
pushed through without any trouble, and when
it comes to change in the schedule
of prices those proposed by the Indian
apolis company will be carefully considered
It is probable that the company will not get all it
to reduce the rates wherever it is thought they
are too high; but, while there may be several
changes, they will not be material All OF them
will be a slight advance on the rates fof the old
ordinance while the others will remain as tho
Indianapolis company wants them"
Yesterday afternoon councilman was re-
stockholder IN rival company,
called across the street to him: "Remem ber now,
you have got to stand by the old ordinance"
81 will about ii" shouted back the coun-
Gilman.
lyon are on record, you know. No increase
in rates"
II know am, but my vote will be all right.
1 am opposed to exclusiveness. but as to price Eli
see to morrow"
IF he votes to amend the old ordinance said
the constituent to one who heard the converse
ton, 'he will hear from me-"
Last night il was given out with some author
ity that sthe Indianapolis company would con-
sent to striking out all features or sections of
the ordinance that propose to give il
elusive privilege. Further than this it Is under
stood the company will make no concessions, al
slough 1T is thought it will consent to simply
amending the old ordinance and to have the
new one stricken from the files.
The officers and stockholders of the Indianap-
alis company have been denounced by some who
nave allowed their temper to run away with
.neir judgement. These Indiscreet and, in some
instances, irresponsible persons have
hus refectedupon some OF the
he city-men whose integrity is beyond
,roach. The company's officers are: President.
George Branham; vce-presdent. Frederick
0stermeyer; secretary, G. g. Root and treas
,rer, Allen NJ. Fletcher, who with D. A. Rich
.rdson Norman S. Byram and NJ j. Osgood,
ire the; directors: The stockholders are A. B.
Willis R. Miner A. NJ NJ Clary, M.
\ B. Myers, Louis Holweg, Chas; E.
ohm Il Elder, J. F.. Holt, Lynn B. Mar.indale,
". w. Gates. M. d. Williamson & Co.. Hervey
Bates, jr., Henry SEVERN, Frank w. Hamilton,
rhos. Madden. c. Van Camp, A. Young, John
ioore, E. c. Atkins g. Co, John Caven, Aug.
schram. Jas. s. Harper. Emory Albertson. A.
l. Nordyke, D. w. Marmon. Arthur Jordan.
A misunderstanding, for which the telephone
s responsible, caused a mistake in the published
tatement of the action taken by the citizens of
he Second ward. Saturday night relative to the
as ordinance. Instead of indorsing the ordi-
ance proposed by the indianapolis Natura l-gas
,om pany, the meeting adopted resolution ''op-
osng any change whatever in the existing or
nance relating TO natural gas, auO requesting
he councilman and aldermen representing the
econd ward to vote and use their influence
gainst any such change" Messrs r. N. Lamb,
Hired Birdsal. A. A. McKain. Austin F. Denny
nd Dean Berry we're appointed a committee to
ee Councilman Swain and urge his compliance
nth the meetings request The only person
tho opposed the resolution was Mr.. George w.
pair.
sYoUR voice sounds as though You we're talk
,g through worsted stocking" said gentle
enan to a hoarse acquaintance the other day.
L know it, but what I do2" was the reply
Dol" said the other. why, take Hale's Honey
Horehound and Tar" 1t cures hoarseness